Leash for an electronic device

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the leash for an electronic device, with a data port, comprises: a connector; a singular cord; an elastomeric coating; and a protective element. The connector includes a broad face, an insertable member adjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port, and a latch configured to selectively lock the insertable member to the data port. The singular cord includes a first and second end and defines a spring-loop junction therebetween, wherein the second end is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction to form a loop. The elastomeric coating is arranged over the cord between the first end and the spring-loop junction and defines a spring section therebetween. The protective element is arranged over the spring-loop junction and the second end of the cord.

BACKGROUND

Handheld electronic devices, including cell phones, smartphones, tabletcomputers, cameras, personal music (MP3) players, gaming controller,personal gaming devices, are used and carried by users in a wide varietyof situations. Users continue to use their electronic devices inexceedingly hazardous environments, from roller coaster rides tosnowboarding runs down a slope, despite the known risks involved, suchas dropping the electronic device and permanently damaging or losing thedevice altogether. Thus there is a need in the electronic deviceaccessory field for a new and useful leash to retain an electronicdevice for a user. This invention provides such a new and useful leashfor an electronic device.

FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B include, respectively, side and front elevation views ofa leash of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B include isometric views of the leash of the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a usage scenario of the leash, coupled to an electronicdevice, of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts manufacturing steps for the loop section of the leash ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts manufacturing steps for the coil section of the leash ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts manufacturing steps for the leash of the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the connector, installed in the dataport of the electronic device, of the preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the prior art in the field of data port connectors;and

FIG. 10 is an example of a typical data port incorporated intoelectronic devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention isnot intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, butrather to enable any person skilled in the art of to make and use thisinvention.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the leash 100 for an electronic device 160with a data port 165 of the preferred embodiment, comprises: a connector110; a singular cord 120; an elastomeric coating 130; a washer 140; anda protective element 150. The connector 110 includes: a broad face 112;an insertable member 111 adjacent to the broad face 112 and configuredto engage the data port 165; and a latch 115, operable by a user,configured to selectively lock the insertable member 111 within the dataport 165. The cord 120 includes a first end 121 and a second end 122 anddefines a spring-loop junction 123 therebetween, wherein the second end122 is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction 123 to form a loop124; the cord 120, from the spring-loop junction 123 to the second end122, is herein termed the “loop section” of the cord. The elastomericcoating 130 is arranged over the cord 120 between the first end 121 andthe spring-loop junction 123 and defines a spring section 131 of a coilgeometry therebetween. The protective element 150 is arranged over thespring-loop junction 123 and the second end 122 of the cord, and thewasher 140 couples the first end 121 to the connector 110 with the cord120 extending from the broad face 112 of the connector. The connector110 may further include a first detent 113 adjacent to the broad face112 and coupled to the latch 115, the first detent 113 engageable by theuser to release the insertable member 111 from the data port 165; inthis variation, the broad face 112 may define a bore 117 through whichthe cord 120 passes, the bore 117 being more proximal to the insertablemember 111 than the first detent 113. The elastomeric coating 130 mayalso define a linear section 132 between the first end 121 and thespring section 131, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The cord 120 may alsodefine a first knot 125 proximal to the spring-loop junction 123,wherein the second end 122 is knotted around the cord 120, in a secondknot 126, between the first knot 125 and the spring-loop junction 123 toform the loop 124; the second knot 126 may also be arranged on top ofthe first knot 125, or anywhere else on the cord 120.

The user may use the leash 100 of the preferred embodiment to couple anelectronic device 160 to an article of clothing worn by the user. Theuser may pass the loop section of the cord through a belt loop or zipper(or other hole in or element of the article of clothing) and then passesthe connector 110 through the loop 124 to secure the leash 100 to theloop or zipper. The user may subsequently insert the insertable member111 of the connector into a data port 165 of the electronic device 160,the latch 115 locking the insertable member 111 thereto and thussecuring the electronic device 160 to the leash 100, the leash, again,being secured to the article of clothing. The electronic device 160 ispreferably a smartphone (e.g., an (PHONE), but may also be a cellularphone, a watch, a tablet computer (e.g., an IPAD), a personal musicplayer (i.e. an IPOD), a personal gaming device (e.g., a Sony PSP), acamera, a gaming controller, or any other suitable electronic devicethat includes a data port accessible by the user; the data port 165 ofthe electronic device preferably incorporates at least one lockingfeature 159 by which the latch 115 may lock the connector 110 to thedata port 165, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the data port 165 maybe a proprietary 30-pin female receptacle used by Apple, Inc. in aplurality of electronic devices, including the IPOD, the IPHONE, and theIPAD; this receptacle (or a form thereof) is shown in FIG. 10, which isreproduced from U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,689, which issued on 29 Sep. 2009and is incorporated in its entirety by this reference. However, the dataport 165 may be any other receptacle of any other type or form, such asa headphone jack, a USB port, a power or charging jack, or any othersuitable port. Furthermore, the locking feature 159 may be integral witha housing of the electronic device 160 (e.g., external the data port165), or arranged on the electronic device 160 in any other way.

The leash 100 is preferably useful in a variety of applications orenvironments. In a first usage scenario, the user installs the connector110 in the data port 165 of a smartphone and attaches the loop sectionto a breast pocket of a snowboarding jacket (as shown in FIG. 3); theuser subsequently takes video with the smartphone while snowboardingdown a slope, the leash 100 retaining the smartphone for the user in theevent that the user drops the smartphone or the smartphone falls out ofa pocket. In a second usage scenario, the user installs the connector110 in the data port 165 of a smartphone and attaches the loop sectionto a belt loop; the user subsequently takes pictures with the smartphonewhile riding a roller coaster, the leash 100 retaining the smartphonefor the user in the event that the smartphone is dropped. In a thirdusage scenario, the user installs the connector no in the data port 165of a camera and attaches the loop section to a wrist bracelet; the usersubsequently takes pictures with the camera while water-skiing behind aboat, the leash 100 retaining the camera for the user in the event thatthe smartphone is dropped. (In the third usage scenario, the connectorno may also provide a seal around the data port 165 to protect the portfrom water damage.) In a fourth usage scenario, the user installs theconnector no in the data port 165 of a smartphone, attaches the loopsection to a belt loop, and places the smartphone in a back pant pocket;the user subsequently walks along a crowded street, the leash 100retaining the smartphone for the user and/or inhibiting a thief in theevent that a thief attempts to pickpocket the smartphone. In a fifthusage scenario, the user, who is apt to drop his smartphone, installsthe connector no in the data port 165 of the smartphone and attaches theloop section to a belt loop; the leash 100 is of an appropriate lengthto prevent the smartphone from hitting the floor when the user drops thesmartphone, as he is prone to do. However, the leash 100 may be used inany other way or in any other application or environment.

In the above and other usage scenarios, the spring section 131preferably retracts to a compacted coil form when no or little force isapplied along the longitudinal axis of the coil and permits the user toextend the leash 100 (e.g., from approximately 110 mm in length in aretracted state to 850 mm in length in a fully-stretched state, orslightly more that the average length of a human arm in full extension)to allow comfortable and efficient use of the electronic device 160without separating the leash 100 from the electronic device 160 or thearticle of clothing. The leash 100 preferably also has a maximumextension that restricts the maximum separation between the electronicdevice 160 and the user.

The connector 110 of the preferred embodiment, including the broad face112, the insertable member 111, and the latch 115, functions as theinterface between the cord 120 and the electronic device 160. Theconnector 110 is preferably configured to selectively lock to the dataport 165, wherein the connector 110 is separable from the electronicdevice 160 substantially only given an intentional positive action (suchas by the user) to remove the connector 110 from the electronic device160, i.e. engaging the latch 115 to release the insertable member 111from the data port 165. The latch 115 is preferably configured toautomatically lock to the data port 165 when the insertable member 111is placed therein. For example, a separate spring may be coupled to thelatch 115, automatically forcing the latch 115 outward to engage alocking feature 159 of the data port 165 (e.g., the locking feature 159shown in FIG. 10). However, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the latch 115and spring are preferably physically coextensive and manufactured bystamping and forming sheetmetal, though the latch 115 may be of anyother form or created in any other way. The connector 110 preferablyincludes at least one latch, but may also include two such latches, asshown in FIG. 2B (115, 116), or any other number of latches.Furthermore, the connector 110 may include a first detent 113 wherein,by pressing the first detent 113, the latch 115 is repositioned and thusreleased from the locking feature 159 of the data port 165. In thevariation of the connector that includes a second latch 116, theconnector no may further include a second detent 114 coupled to thesecond latch 116, as shown in FIG. 2B; in this variation, the first andsecond detents 113, 114 are preferably arranged on opposite sides of thebroad face 112 of the connector and are substantially parallel, as shownin FIG. 1B, wherein the user may squeeze the first and second detents113, 114 between a thumb and a forefinger to remove the connector nofrom the data port 165. As shown in FIG. 2A, the two latches 115, 116are also preferably defined by the same single sheetmetal stamping. Thesecond-generation IPOD power cord, by Apple, Inc. and shown in FIG. 9,is an example of an implementation of a connector with such detents,latches, and an insertable member. Though such detents are known andused in the art of data ports and their implementation in the leash 100of the preferred embodiment will be readily understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art, it will be noted that the mooring of the cord120 to the connector no is not available in the prior art and would notbe readily apparent or obvious to one skilled in the art.

The insertable member 111 and the broad face 112 of the connector arepreferably a unitary structure, as shown in FIG. 2B, which may have thebenefit of improving the strength of the connection between theelectronic device 160 and the cord 120. Though the connector 110 mayotherwise include a plurality of other components (as shown in FIG. 2B),because the broad face 112 and the insertable member 111 are formed asone unitary structure rather than being two separate structuresultimately welded, bonded, or otherwise assembled, the unitary structureof the broad face 112 and insertable member 111 may be less likely tofail over a similar component assembled from multiple pieces; this maybe beneficial since mechanical failure between the insertable member 111and the broad face 112 may reduce the effectiveness of the leash 100 inretaining the electronic device 160 if dropped, released, or otherwiseseparated from the user. The broad face 112 and the insertable member111 are preferably injection molded as a single structure and arepreferably of a polymer material, such as nylon, delrin, high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), acetal, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), or anyother suitable plastic or polymer. However, the broad face 112 and theinsertable member 111 may be of any other material, such as brass, zinc,steel, aluminum, silicon, polyester, Kevlar, fiberglass, orpolyurethane, and may be manufactured in any other way, such as by diecasting, investment casting, die forming, stamping, or molding, or byany other suitable manufacturing process. Furthermore, the broad face112 is preferably planar and substantially in-plane with the intendeddirection of insertion of the insertable member 111 into the data port165 of the electronic device 160, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7. However,the broad face 112 may be of any other form and of any other positionrelative to the insertable member 111.

The cord 120 of the preferred embodiment functions as an extendible linkbetween the article of clothing worn by the user and the connector no.The spring section 131 and the loop section (and the linear section 132,in some variations) comprise the unitary cord 120 such that a continuousstructure passes from the first end 121 at the connector 110, (throughthe linear section 132,) through the spring section 131, through theloop section, to the second end 122. This continuous structure mayreduce the susceptibility of the leash 100 to failure modes common toconventional similar leashes. One common failure mode for conventionalleashes in the prior art has been a junction between an extendiblecomponent (e.g., the spring section) and a connector, clip, hook, orother element for coupling the leash to the user; the interface of twodisparate elements along the leash, whether or not of the samematerially, typically leads to a weak point in the leash assembly.Therefore, the continuous structure (i.e. the unitary cord 120) passingfrom the first end 121 to the second end 122 may provide the benefit ofa more robust leash in comparison to conventional leashes.

The cord 120 is preferably a fibrous cord, such as a woven string, andpreferably has limited capacity for stretching but is capable ofwithstanding at least the tensile forces applied to the leash 100 undernormal use conditions without fraying, splitting, severing, or otherwisefailing. The cord 120 is preferably woven Kevlar, as shown in FIG. 5,but may alternatively be nylon, delrin, Teflon, polyethylene (PE),polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE), or any other suitable material and may or may not be woven.The cord 120 is also preferably of a material resistant to degradationin the presence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., sunlight), such asPVDF. However, the cord 120 may be of a material with relatively lowUV-resistance, such as Kevlar, but coated with a UV-resistant materialor wrapped in a UV-resistant material (e.g., a PVDF sleeve over a Kevlarcore); such a coating or wrap may be applied only over the loop sectionof the cord or, alternatively, over the entire length or other portionof the cord. However, the cord 120 may be of any other suitable materialand/or combination of materials, and the cord 120 may also include oneor more layers of similar or dissimilar material(s) arranged about afibrous core.

The elastomeric coating 130 of the preferred embodiment, defining thespring section 131, functions to extend from a compacted coil (e.g.,from the retracted state to an extended state) to allow the user tooperate the electronic device 160 without separating the leash 100 fromthe electronic device 160 or the leash from the article of clothing. Thespring section 131 is preferably formed by coating a section of the coilin the elastomeric coating 130 and forming the spring section 131 intothe coil geometry. The elastomeric coating 130 is preferablythermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), but may alternatively be rubber,nylon, chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), nitrile butadiene rubber(NBR), PVC, a NBR/PVR blend, or any other suitable material. Theelastomeric coating 130 is preferably elastic and has shape memory suchthat the elastomeric coating 130 preferably: retains the shape of theretracted coil in the absence of a substantial tensile force appliedalong the longitudinal axis of the coil; is prone to return to theoriginal coil geometry in the absence of such a force; and permitsextension of the coil, in the presence of such a substantial force,without substantial fatigue, display of wear, cracking, or otherfailure. The elastomeric coating 130 preferably also has the followingproperties: color permanence; ozone-resistance; weather-resistance;UV-resistance; heat-resistance (e.g., to melting at temperatures above100.degree. C.); cold-resistance (e.g., to cracking under manipulationat temperatures below −20.degree. C.); resistance to a wide range ofchemicals; resistance to abrasion and mechanical abuse; and suitableadhesion to the cord 120. However, the elastomeric coating 130 may haveany other property.

The elastomeric coating 130 further functions to define the springsection 131 that is a coil of circular geometry (e.g., 8.5 mm in outerdiameter), as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A; however, the spring section 131may be a coil of rectilinear or elliptical geometry, or of any othersuitable geometry. The elastomeric coating 130 is preferably of auniform circular cross-section over the spring section 131 (e.g.,approximately 3 mm in diameter), as shown in FIG. 2A, but mayalternatively be rectilinear or elliptical in cross-section, or of anyother geometry. However, the elastomeric coating 130 may not be uniformin cross-section over the length of the spring section 131; for example,the cross-section of the spring section 131 may taper from 2 mm proximalto the first end 121 to 5 mm in diameter proximal to the middle of thespring section 131 and back to 2 mm proximal to the spring-loop junction123. Furthermore, the spring section 131 is preferably between 100 mmand 120 mm in length in the retracted state and capable of between 800mm and 900 m maximum length in the fully-stretched state. However, thegeometry of the elastomeric coating 130 and the spring section 131 maybe of any other form and of any other dimension, and the spring section131 may be of any other length in the retracted state and/orfully-expanded state.

In the variation of the elastomeric coating 130 that defines the linearsection 132 between the first end 121 and the spring section 131, thecoating on the linear section 132 is preferably of the samecross-section as the coating on the spring section 131 and continuouswith the coating on the spring section 131 (e.g., the coatings on bothsections are formed and/or applied simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 5).The linear section 132 preferably passes through a bore 117 in the broadface 112 of the connector (as shown in FIG. 2B) and is moored thereto,wherein the linear section 132 defines a gap between the connector noand the spring section 131 such that the connector no does notsubstantially interfere with or substantially rub on the spring section131 during normal use. In other words the linear section 132 functionsto separate the spring section 131 from the connector no to provide atransition region between the connector no and the spring section 131that centers the spring section 131 on the connector no and properlydefines the direction that the spring section 131 extends from theconnector no, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 6.

The elastomeric coating 130 preferably covers the cord 120 from thefirst end 121, (over the linear section 132,) over the spring section131, to the spring-loop junction 123, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Inone variation of the leash 100, the cord 120 further defines a knot,proximal to the first end 121, that functions to mechanically retain thewasher 140 on the cord 120 (i.e. to prevent the washer 140 from slidingpast the first end 121), as shown in FIG. 5. In this variation, the knotis preferably defined by a section of the cord not coated in theelastomeric material, and the knot is preferably coated in an adhesive.In an alternative variation, a bead is joined to the cord 120, proximalto the first end 121, to mechanically retain the washer 140 on the cord120; the bead may be crimped, bonded, or otherwise joined to the cord120. The bead may be arranged over a portion of the cord already coatedwith the elastomeric coating 130, but is preferably arranged over aportion of the cord not coated with the elastomeric coating 130.

The washer 140 of the preferred embodiment, functions to mechanicallymoor the cord 120 to the connector 110. As described above, the washer140 is preferably retained on the cord 120 mechanically, such as by aknot or bead proximal to the first end 121 of the cord. In a firstexample of a manufacturing method of the cord 120 shown in FIG. 5: (STEP1) the cord 120 is woven from Kevlar strands; (STEP 2) TPU (theelastomeric coating 130) is extruded over the cord 120; (STEP 3) thewasher 140 is molded over the elastomeric coating 130 proximal to thefirst end 121; (STEP 4) the spring section 131 is wrapped around a metalwire and baked to form the circular coil geometry; (STEP 5) the cordproximal to the first end 121 is shaped to create the linear section 132and baked; (STEP 6) the elastomeric coating is stripped from the cord120 between the first end 121 and the washer 140, as well as from theloop section; and (STEP 7) a knot is created between the first end 121and the washer 140 and coated in an adhesive. The second end 122 of thecord may then be threaded through the bore 117 of the broad face 112 andthe cord 120 pulled therethrough until the washer bottoms on theopposite the broad face, the washer preventing the second end 122 frompassing through the connector 110 (STEP 11). In a second example of amanufacturing method similar to the previous example: STEP 6 followsSTEP 2, and STEP 3 is replaced by crimping the washer 140 that is steelto the cord 120 proximal to the first end 121. However, the washer 140may be mechanically fastened to the cord 120 in any other way, such aswith a knot or by directly crimping the washer 140 to the cord 120;alternatively, the washer 140 may be coupled to the cord 120 byadhering, gluing, bonding, fusing, welding, or other chemical joining.The washer 140 may also be physically coextensive with the broad face112.

In a first variation of the washer 140, the second end 122 of the cordis passed from the inside of the broad face 112 and through the bore 117of the broad face 112; the cord 120 is then pulled though the broad face112 until the washer 140 engages the inside of the broad face 112, thewasher 140 thus retaining the first end 121 within the connector 110. Inthis variation, the connector 110 preferably includes a locating feature118 (as shown in FIG. 2A) that retains the washer 140 in a givenorientation; this may provide the benefit of maintaining the orientationof the portion of spring section 131 (or the linear section 132)emanating from the broad face 112, the connector 110 thus alwaysappropriately positioned for ease of insertion of the insertable member111 into the data port 165 of the electronic device 160. The washer 140,therefore, preferably includes a feature or is of an appropriategeometry to engage the locating feature 118, such as the rectilinearwasher shown in FIG. 2A.

In a second variation of the washer 140, the washer 140 engages anexternal feature on the broad face 112 of the connector, such as arecess, a hook, a latch, or other suitable feature, the washer 140 thusmoored to the broad face 112 external to the connector no. However, thewasher 140 and the broad face 112 may be physically coextensive, whereinthe washer 140 of the broad face 112 is crimped, bonded, welded, orotherwise joined to the cord 120 directly, or the washer 140 may be ofany other geometry and coupled to the connector 110 in any other way.

The washer 140 preferably orients the cord 120 such that the cord 120protrudes from the broad face 112 in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of insertion of the insertable member 111into the data port 165. In the variation of the broad face 112 that isplanar and substantially in-plane with the direction of insertion of theinsertable member 111 into the data port 165, the washer 140 preferablyorients the cord 120 to protrude from the broad face 112 in a directionsubstantially normal to the broad face 112. The washer 140 alsopreferably couples the cord 120 to the connector 110 substantiallyproximal to the insertable region, which may reduce the lever arm length(e.g., the distance between the cord-connector joint and the insertablemember 111) of the leash 100 and thus reduce the magnitude of torquesapplied to the data port 165 under normal use. By so orienting the cordto protrude from the broad face 112 and substantially near theinsertable member 111, as shown in FIG. 7, torques exerted by theconnector no on the data port 165 during normal use may be minimized;this is desirable as excessive torques applied to the data port 165 mayresult in damage to the data port 165. The cord-connector orientation ofthe preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, may therefore offersignificant benefits over the connector-cord arrangements of the priorart, which are typified by FIGS. 8 and 9.

Typically, data ports integrated into electronic devices are configuredto receive a plug (or other adapter) inserted in a direction in planewith a display screen (or keyboard or user input region) of theelectronic device, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS. 8 and 9 depict theprior art in the field of data port plugs, wherein the typicalorientation of a cable or cord on the plug is opposite the insertablemember of the plug, the cable or cord emanating from the plug along thedirection of intended insertion of the insertable member into the dataport. Such an orientation of the cord on the connector, when applied tothe leash 100 of the preferred embodiment, is likely to result intorques of undesired magnitudes applied to the data port when the leashis used in conjunction with the electronic device, such as in the usagescenario shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the cord 120 is preferably coupledto the connector 110, as shown in FIG. 7, with the cord 120 moored tothe connector 110 in a direction perpendicular to the intended directionof insertion of the insertable member 111 into the data port 165. Thewasher 140 preferably so couples the cord 120 to the connector 110.

The cord 120 of the preferred embodiment further functions to define theloop 124, opposite the connector no, wherein the user may use the loop124 to couple the leash 100 to an article of clothing or other device,element, or article. To form the loop 124, the second end 122 of thecord is arranged proximal to the spring-loop junction 123. In a firstvariation, the second end 122 is knotted around the cord 120 proximal tothe spring-loop junction 123, the knot thus maintaining the location ofthe second end 122 proximal to the spring-loop junction 123. In a secondvariation, the cord 120 defines a first knot 125 proximal to thespring-loop junction 123, as shown in STEP 14 of FIG. 4; the second end122 is then knotted around the cord 120, in a second knot 126, betweenthe first knot 125 and the spring-loop junction 123, as shown in STEP 15of FIG. 4. This second variation of the loop 124, including the firstand second knots 125, 126, may have the benefit of being more secureover alternative geometries, since the application of a tensile force tothe loop 124 tightens the first knot 125, which prevents the second knot126 from sliding along the cord 120, past the second knot 126, and awayfrom the spring-loop junction 123.

Prior to arrangement of the second end 122 of the cord proximal to thespring-loop junction 123, the loop section is preferably cut to length,as shown in STEP 13 of FIG. 4, such that, when the leash 100 isassembled, the connector 110 may pass fully through the loop 124.

The protective element 150 of the preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, functions to: prevent the end of the elastomeric coating 130,terminating at the spring-loop junction 123, from peeling away from thecord 120; and to protect the second end 122 of the cord to preventinadvertent destruction of the coupling between the second end 122 andthe spring section 131. The protective element 150 is preferably of apolymer, such as nylon, acetal, ABS, PTFE, PE, PS, PP, HDPE, UHMWPE,Bakelite, silicone, rubber, latex, or any other suitable polymer orplastic, and is preferably overmolded over the spring-loop junction 123,including over the end of the elastomeric coating 130 and the second end122 of the cord. However, the protective element 150 may be of any othermaterial, such as an elastomer or metal, and may be assembled over thespring-loop junction 123 and second end 122 in any other way; forexample, the protective element 150 may be crimped in place over thecord 120 or assembled from two or more disparate pieces over the cord120. Furthermore, in the variation in which the second end 122 is notknotted to the cord 120, the protective element 150 may provide the solemeans of retention of the second end 122 in the proper location proximalto the spring-loop junction 123.

The leash 100 is preferably manufactured by the following steps, asshown in FIGS. 4-6: (STEP 1) weave Kevlar strands into the cord 120 ofapproximately 0.8 mm width (or diameter); (STEP 2) coat the Kevlar cord120 with a thin UV-resistant coating and cut the cord to length; (STEP3) extrude TPU (the elastomeric coating 130) over the cord 120; (STEP 4)injection mold the washer 140, from ABS, over the elastomeric coating130 proximal to the first end 121; (STEP 5) wrap the spring section 131around a metal wire and bake the cord 120 to form the circular coilgeometry of the spring section 131; (STEP 6) shape the cord 120 proximalto the first end 121 to create the linear section 132 and bake the cord120; (STEP 7) strip the elastomeric coating 130 from the cord 120between the first end 121 and the washer 140, as well as from the loopsection; (STEP 8) create two knots between the first end 121 and thewasher 140 and coat the knots in an adhesive; (STEP 9) injection moldthe components of the connector 110, including the broad face 112 andinsertable member 111, two detents 113, 114, and a rear housing 119,from ABS pellets, including colorant (e.g., black); (STEP 10) stamp andform two physically coextensive latches 115, 116 from stainless steelsheet; (STEP 11) pull second end 122 of the cord through the bore 117 ofthe broad face until the washer 150 engages back side of the broad face112 washer 140; (STEP 12) assemble the connector 110 by installing thelatches 115, 116, installing the detents 113, 114, and ultrasonicallywelding the rear housing 119 in place; (STEP 13) trim the cord 120 tolength at the second end 122; (STEP 14) form a first knot 125 in theloop section proximal to the spring-loop junction 123; (STEP 15) form asecond knot 126, with the second end 122, between the spring-loopjunction 123 and the first knot 125; (STEP 16) injection mold theprotective element 150, from ABS pellets, including colorant, over thespring-loop junction 123 and first and second knots 125, 126. Thesesteps may be performed in any suitable order and may be replaced by anyother suitable manufacturing method, material, or step. Any additionalsteps may also be added to the manufacturing process for the leash 100,such as (STEP 17) printing a colored logo on the connector 110 oppositethe broad face 112, either before or after assembly of the connector, orgluing the washer to the inside of the broad face 112.

The leash 100 may also include additional features. In a firstvariation, the washer 140 is configured to break away from the cord 120given a force greater than a threshold maximum force, wherein a forcesignificantly greater than the threshold maximum force, when applied tothe data port 165 of the electronic device 160, will likely result issignificant damage to the electronic device 160. Alternatively, thewasher 140 may be configured to break away from the connector 110, theconnector 110 may be configured to disintegrate, or the latch 115 may beconfigured to release in the presence of a force greater than thethreshold maximum force. By incorporating such a feature, damage to theelectronic device 160 may be limited when in use with the leash 100. Ina second variation, the clip may include active or passive circuitry totransmit data to the electronic device 160, through the data port 165,when installed therein. In a first example, when the connector 110 isinstalled in the data port 165, a camera or music application of theelectronic device 160 is automatically opened (or a feature thereofautomatically adjusted). In a second example, the connector no acts as akey for an application executing on the electronic device 160, whereinthe user must insert the connector no in the data port 165 of theelectronic device 160 in order to access the application in general orone or more features of the application. In potential scenario of thissecond example, a roller coaster ride provides leashes 100 of thepreferred embodiment to individuals riding the roller coaster; anindividual who installs the leash 100 to an article of clothing and tothe data port 165 of his smartphone may use an application thus unlockedto take pictures while riding the roller coaster, wherein the unlockedapplication automatically transmits the pictures to an onsite databasethat collects the images and provides tangible, large format prints toriders of the roller coaster following the ride. In a third example, theconnector no includes sensors (powered by the electronic device 160through the data port 165) configured to detect failure of the leash100; the electronic device 160 monitors the sensors and, given anassertion of leash failure, sounds an audible alarm and/or initiates aGPS honing beacon to aid the user in tracking down the electronic device160. In a variation of this third example, the connector 110 may simplyinclude a conductive element that couples two pins of the data port 165,the electronic device 160 recognizing low resistance between the twopins as indicative that the connector 110 is installed in the data port165 and high resistance between the two pins as indicative that theconnector no has been removed therefrom. In a fourth example, the leash100 includes an electric generator that produces current as the springsection 131 stretches and retracts under normal usage; this current isdirected from the connector 110 into the data port 165 to charge theelectronic device 160. However, the leash 100 may incorporate any otheractive or passive circuitry to augment the functionality of the leash100 and/or the electronic device 160.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention as defined in the followingclaims.

1. A leash for an electronic device with a data port, comprising: aconnector including a broad face on a plane, an insertable memberadjacent to the broad face and configured to engage the data port,wherein the insertable member further includes a latch configured toselectively lock the insertable member to the data port; a singular cordincluding a first end and a second end, wherein the first end extendsfrom the connector and the second end is arranged proximal to thespring-loop junction; an elastomeric coating arranged over the cordbetween the first end and the spring-loop junction, the elastomericcoating having the properties of color permanence, ozone-resistance, andcold-resistance; and a protective element arranged over the spring-loopjunction and the second end of the cord.
 2. The leash of claim 1,wherein the spring-section ranges being between 100 millimeters and 120millimeters in a retracted state and ranges between 800 millimeters and900 millimeters in a fully-stretched state.
 3. The leash of claim 1,wherein the cord comprises a fibrous material.
 4. The leash of claim 6,wherein the cord is composed of at least one woven para-aramid syntheticfiber.
 5. The leash of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric coating extendsfrom the first end, over the spring section and up to the spring-loopjunction and is substantially uniform in cross-section thereon.
 6. Theleash of claim 1, wherein arranging the second end proximal to thespring-loop junction forms a loop capable of permitting the connector topass fully through the loop.
 7. The leash of claim 1, wherein the springsection is of a circular coil geometry.
 8. The leash of claim 1, whereinthe cord further comprises a first knot proximal to the spring-loopjunction and the second end is knotted around the cord, in a second knotbetween the first knot and the spring-loop junction.
 9. The leash ofclaim 1, wherein the first end of the singular cord extends from thebroad face of the connector in a direction perpendicular to the planethat the broad face is on, and perpendicular to the intended directionof insertion of the insertable member into the data port.
 10. The leashof claim 9, further comprising: a washer coupling the first end of thesingular cord to the connector.
 11. The least of claim 10, wherein thefirst end of the singular cord extends from the broad face of theconnector and through the spring-section and spring-loop junction to thesecond end of the singular cord.
 12. The leash of claim 11, wherein thecord passes through the broad face of the connector and the washerretains the first end within the connector.
 13. The leash of claim 10,wherein the broad face defines a bore, and wherein the elastomericcoating further defines a linear section between the first end and thespring section the linear section passing through the bore perpendicularto the intended direction of insertion of the insertable member into thedata port of the electronic device.
 14. The leash of claim 10, whereinthe cord further comprises a not proximal to the first end and retainingthe washer on the cord.
 15. The leash of claim 14, wherein the knot iscoated in an adhesive.
 16. The leash of claim 9, wherein the cordincludes a linear section between the first end and the spring sectioncoated in the elastomeric material and joined to the connector to extendtherefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intendeddirection of insertion of the insertable member into the data port ofthe electronic device.
 17. The leash of claim 1, wherein the connectorfurther comprises at first detent adjacent to the broad face the firstdetent coupled to the latch and engageable to release the insertablemember from the data port.
 18. The leash of claim 17, wherein theconnector further comprises a second latch operable to selectively lockthe insertable member to the data port, the connector further comprisinga second detent adjacent to the broad face opposite the first detent,the second detent coupled to the second latch and engageable by the userto release the insertable member from the data port.
 19. The leash ofclaim 17, wherein the broad face defines a bore through which the cordpasses, the bore being more proximal to the insertable member than thefirst detent.
 20. A leash for an electronic device with an adaptor,comprising: a connector including a broad face parallel to a plane ofthe electronic device, an insertable member adjacent to the broad faceand configured to engage the data port, and a latch configured toselectively lock the insertable member to the data port; a singular cordincluding a first end and a second end the cord defining as aspring-loop junction there between and a first knot proximal to thespring-loop junction, wherein the second end is knotted around the cord,in a second knot between the first knot and the spring-loop junction; anelastomeric coating arranged over the cord between the first end and thespring-loop junction the elastomeric coating defining a spring sectionof a coil geometry and a linear section between the first end and thespring section, the linear section extending from the broad face andthrough the spring-section and spring-loop junction to the second end ofthe singular cord, the spring-section having a predetermined retractedlength range less than a predetermined stretched length range; and aprotective element arranged over the spring-loop junction, the firstknot, and the second end of the cord.